Par panel criticises govt for diverting Yamuna catchment area

A Parliamentary panel has
criticised the Environment Ministry for diverting catchment
areas of Yamuna bank in the city for purposes other than
creating reservoirs which would have ensured steady supply of
fresh water in it.

New Delhi: A Parliamentary panel has
criticised the Environment Ministry for diverting catchment
areas of Yamuna bank in the city for purposes other than
creating reservoirs which would have ensured steady supply of
fresh water in it.

"Most of the catchment area of the river Yamuna has
been diverted for purposes other than creating reservoirs,"
the panel said, taking serious note of the pathetic condition
of the river despite several plans and huge investment.
In its report tabled in Parliament today, the panel
headed by MP T Subbarami Reddy has expressed dissatisfaction
over the working of sewage treatment plants which, it said,
were not only expensive to built and maintain but also
ineffective in giving desired results.

"Most of these treatment plants remain grossly
underutilised because the city does not have drainage to
convey all sewage to the treatment plants," it said and
suggested creation of water bodies in the river`s catchment
areas.

As it would not be possible to treat the entire
sewerage flowing into the river, it is recommended that the
Ministry look for alternative measures for its cleanliness, it
said.

"A steady supply of fresh water in the river is
required," the panel said referring to its earlier
recommendations of setting up a "proper system for recharging
the river by creating man made water bodies like reservoir and
catchment areas which can store the monsoon water."
The stored water can be released into the river during
the lean season, it said.

The committee has also sought a result-oriented, time
bound approach with regard to cleaning of the river.